Christmas Season Celebrations
KAYLEA HUTSON GateHouse Plus

The holidays are around the corner. For some, this means a time of intense pressure and stress as they prepare for dinners, family gatherings and holiday parties.

Holiday gatherings take time, energy and tons of planning. For some, the thought of having to make everything "perfect" sends cold chills down their spine.

If you are like Martha, one of two sisters who invited Jesus into her home (in Luke 11: 38 - 42), then the thought of having a guest come into your home, when it's less than perfect, sends you into a tailspin.

In the story, Jesus and his disciples stopped at Mary and Martha's home while on their way to Jerusalem.

While Mary sat at Jesus' feet soaking in his teachings, Martha rushed around preparing the meal. She was a hostess with a plan - everything needed to be perfect.

In fact, during the visit, Martha complained to Jesus about Mary. It was the typical sibling complaint - while Martha worked and worked, Mary instead just sat there with the guests. Martha wanted Mary to pitch in and complete her share of the work.

Jesus, though, had other thoughts. He told Martha that she was way too worried about the details of his visit.

Instead of being upset and trying to make everything perfect, Jesus encouraged her to actually take a step back and be more like Mary.

"There is only one thing worth being concerned about," said Jesus. "Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42, NLT).

Unfortunately, for many Christians, the feelings of inadequacy and the need for perfection is not limited to when they have visitors in their home.

For many, the fear of imperfection drives away any joy they might have with friends and family members.

Ali Edwards, a self-proclaimed life artist, understands what this feeling is like. She tries to stress that "imperfection is a reality." We can never be absolutely perfect. Regardless of what we do, say or try to bring into our lives.

"Life is too short and too amazing to spend time worrying about perfection," Edwards said. "[You need to] get over it - whatever 'it' may be for you. It's time to move past whatever "it" is that's keeping you from enjoying and creating and celebrating the everyday."

Edwards writes in her new book, Life Artist, that some people - primarily women - worry about being perfect because they carry with them a fear of making mistakes or that someone might put their work down.

"This fear can be paralyzing," Edwards said. "It can stop you from creating entirely. It can cause you to sit and stare and get nothing accomplished for the two hours you have set aside as time to play. What, really, are you afraid of?"

For Martha, "it" consisted of being afraid her home would not be perfect for Jesus. "It" also included an anger that Mary chose not to help with the hospitality area of the visit, and instead took time away from her tasks to "play."

But Edwards said it's important to step away from the worries and cares of the world and be with close friends and family members, instead.

Edwards uses the image of a scrapbooker - caught up in a variety of worries and concerns which keep her from creating pages for a family album.

"Twenty years from now, your family isn't going to care the least about which patterned paper, embellishment, pen or cardstock color you used," she said. "They're going to be so very happy to simply have a little bit of documentation from you - a little bit of your heart that will live on."

In the end, she said, the story remembered is not that your home was spotless, or that you were perfect in everything you accomplished.

Instead, your children will remember the times you put aside work and worry to simply be with them.

Twenty years from now, your children will remember how you played games with them, spent time with them and loved them enough to be with them.

Jesus understood this. His message to Martha was simple - forget the dishes, the meal preparation and everything you are worrying about. Instead be with me, love me. Learn from my teachings.

So reject worry and fear. Instead embrace the imperfections in your life.